Australian property market risks US-style collapse

Analysis by researchers from South Australia's Flinders University has revealed home ownership in the 10 years from 1996 rose only 0.8 per cent despite strong economic growth and low interest rates in that period.

The Flinders Institute for Housing, Urban and Regional Research analysis found home ownership fell by 15 per cent over the two decades to 2006 for low income earners over 45 years of age and medium-high income earners under 45 years.

Other findings included large gains in national income from the resources boom were "wasted" by increasing house prices and accumulating debt to unreasonable levels.

The analysis found the first home owners scheme boosted home purchases for people under 25 years of age but many lower income earners in the 25-44 age bracket were unlikely to ever own their own homes because their parents were spending their inheritances and prices remained high.

Dr Joe Flood, the institute's adjunct professor, said the "the writing is on the wall for the 'Australian dream'."

"The country that promised limitless land, cheap housing and near universal home ownership to all comers now has the most expensive housing in the world amid very tight housing and land markets and little prospect of restoring the balance," Dr Flood said in a statement on Monday.

"As long as the government, the public and the media remain in denial, and self-congratulatory rhetoric continues that Australia has cleverly avoided the housing market correction it needed to have, there is little chance that matters will improve.

money.ninemsn.com.au...

Doesn't sound good i have been keeping an eye on things and i believe early next year intrest rates will spike due to the fact that the reserve bank wanted to put the interest rates up twice before the end of the year, but the government asked them not hold off on, also the First home byers grant will end this year which will have major effect on the property market.

What do you guys think will happen?